Dunwoody Crier - November 21, 2024

The Dunwoody High School graduating class of 1994 will be holding its 30-year class reunion on November 30th, 2024.

BASKETBALL

Wildcats fall in overtime

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N ov e m b e r 2 1 , 2 0 2 4 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6

Charter change bid generates concerns about city’s loyalty to founding tenets

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — City officials are considering amendments to the Dunwoody City Charter including one that would allow police or city staff facing hardships to receive benefits from individuals or organizations.

Another amendment discussed at the Nov. 12 City Council meeting would allow a member of the City Council to work for another government outside Dunwoody and DeKalb County.

Neither measure went to a council vote on first reading, but they drew some heated remarks from resident Joe Hirsch during public comment.

“Wow, changes to our charter are quite significant, yet there are no public hearings … kind of bizarre,” Hirsch said. “What precipitated the need for these proposed changes?”

He asked whether city employees would have to report the money.

“I think this charter is opening up an avenue for horrific abuses,” he said.

During discussion of the second charter amendment, Councilwoman Stacey Harris removed herself because of her employment opportunities with

See CHARTER, Page 12

CITY OF DUNWOODY/PROVIDED

Dunwoody Community Outreach Officer Theresa Hernandez, center right, stands with Citizens’ Police Academy Class XV graduates at the Nov. 12 City Council meeting. Hernandez said it was one of her most interesting and engaging classes.

Dunwoody pulls from public to aid police

By HAYDEN SUMLIN hayden@appenmedia.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — Faced with budget constraints and limited prospects of expanding its force, the Dunwoody Police Department is adding more eyes and ears to public safety.

At the Nov. 12 City Council meeting, Police Chief Mike Carlson discussed two auxiliary programs that may contribute to fighting crime.

The department’s Public Safety Ambassador program, which rolled out this fall, helps take the load off sworn officers with civilian employees who respond to less serious incidents.

“Our [Public Safety] Ambassadors have been doing a phenomenal job of taking a lot of those noncritical incidents off the plate of the officers that are out there, so they can be more proactive at getting the crime,” Carlson said.

The police chief said there’ve been enough applicants going through background checks to soon get the department fully staffed with sworn officers. In early July, there were six vacancies.

To kick off the Nov. 12 City Council meeting, officials recognized Community Outreach Officer Theresa Hernandez and graduates of the 13-week Citizens’ Police Academy program.

“We just had our second Citizens Police Academy [of the year],” Hernandez said. “This year we actually had 17 people graduate.”

Dunwoody’s community outreach officer said this year’s program expanded one week to include time with uniform patrol. Other field trips during the program include the Chattahoochee River 911 Authority (ChatComm), North Metro SWAT, DeKalb County Jail and even some training in the firearms simulator.

“Anyone who has not taken this class, please look out,” Hernandez said.

See POLICE, Page 2

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Continued from Page 1 “I’ll be doing another schedule in the next month or so for another one in the spring.”

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Harvesting a recruit Carlson said Hernandez has done a fantastic job running the biannual program and conveying what the department does each day.

“She actually recruited three to volunteer with us,” Carlson said. “I just got the volunteer applications in, one for bailiff and two for citizens on patrol.”

Deborah Vega, one of the graduates who signed up for citizen patrol, spoke about the program and her inspiration for signing up.

“For me personally, I was inspired to take it because I work at the Shepherd Center where we work with catastrophic care,” she said.

Because many of the patients are officers injured in the line of duty, Vega said she wanted to learn what they do in her community.

“I have a new respect for what you all do for our community in keeping us safe, thank you all so much for your service,” she said. “As the daughter of a retired Air Force veteran, I was very proud to be a part of this class with everyone else.”

Last fall, consulting firm BerryDunn returned a two-year study of the Dunwoody Police Department, commending its practices but showing understaffing and inexperience.

Since Mayor Lynn Deutsch took office in 2020, the starting pay for a police officer with five years of public safety experience increased from $49,794 to $71,351.

Steps to make the Dunwoody Police Department more competitive with surrounding jurisdictions has contributed to the city’s financial constrictions.

The department remains understaffed according to the study’s

HAYDEN SUMLIN/APPEN MEDIA

Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson speaks at Brook Run Park on Veterans Day Nov. 11. Carlson told elected officials Nov. 12 that police would continue responding to all shoplifting calls in Central Perimeter.

findings. The 2025 budget did not fulfill the Police Department’s requests for eight additional Police Department personnel.

As of mid-November, the Dunwoody Police Department has three unfilled sworn officer positions.

An eye for holiday crimes Deutsch and Police Chief Carlson also discussed crime trends throughout the Perimeter Center business district Nov. 12 with an emphasis on the holiday shopping season.

The year-to-date crime statistics, comparing last year’s numbers through September 2023 with this year, show total calls for service decreasing 11 percent.

The only type of arrests that saw an increase over last year are for shoplifting and motor vehicle theft, a trend seen elsewhere around Metro Atlanta.

“I see a pretty significant drop in the number of calls, which I’m presuming is pretty significant to Walmart closing,” Deutsch said.

When the Walmart off Ashford Dunwoody Road announced it was shuttering in late June, the Dunwoody Police Department was responding to an average of two 911 calls per day.

In a statement, Walmart said the store was closing because of underperforming sales.

Carlson confirmed the mayor’s theory, saying it was a “heavy hitter” for the department.

Deutsch said she’s aware of a neighboring Metro Atlanta city that stopped responding to shoplifting calls unless they’re a “major theft.”

“I am not suggesting that,” she said.

“Preventing shoplifting is a multifaceted effort and a growing national problem; it was up 20 percent across the country last year.”

The mayor asked Carlson if there were ongoing conversations between police and major retailers with the holiday season approaching.

“Is there any way we can make sure that the retailers are doing best practices?” Deutsch asked. “For example, one of the challenges at Walmart was there was no one working in the store.”

Retailers making the full switch to self-checkout risk encouraging “skip scanning,” in which a shopper pretends to scan items or manipulates price tags.

Carlson said skip scanning is why Walmart was losing so much revenue and closed the store.

“If loss prevention was not working … stuff just walked right out the door,” he said.

Carlson said he’s about serving the needs of community members and does not want to stop responding to any calls for service.

“This may be their one and only encounter, and it’s going to be a positive one in Dunwoody,” Carlson said. “It’s important, and now that our staffing is getting back up, we only have three openings.”

Carlson and Deutsch agreed on the importance of preventing violent crime throughout Dunwoody and operating with Georgia Retailers Organized Crime Alliance during the holidays.

“We want to eliminate that crime and let them know that when they come back here, they will be prosecuted,” Carlson said.

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Cambridge tops Dunwoody in double overtime, 77-72

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DUNWOODY, Ga — The Cambridge Bears travelled to Dunwoody High School Nov. 12 to face off against the Wildcats. In their meeting last season, the Bears dominated 63-56 without trailing.

This season, with the addition of senior guard Avery White, a transfer from Milton High School, Cambridge looked to widen the gap. Dunwoody came in with a defensive plan to shut White down and consequently forced the ball into senior Christian Frasier’s hands, who ended the match with a game-high 28 points.

White found his shots, though, and made it to the free throw line, notching 17 points and contributing seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals for the Bears. Unafraid of the moment, he found himself with the ball in his hands in clutch moments. White and the Bears took home the win, 77-72, after two overtime periods.

The Wildcats lived and died by the three, making 11 more attempts than the Bears. Long-range shots kept them in the game with a made shot by senior Eli Merritt near the end of the first overtime, putting them up 61-60, and the three ball sealed the loss with a miss by junior Emerson Mitchell with seconds left in the game down two.

Frasier had the first bucket of the game with a three-pointer right out of the gate. Dunwoody’s leading scorer of the night, senior guard Matt Corgile, replied immediately with a lay-up, tallying 25 points on the night.

The Wildcats led after the first quarter 18-13, capitalizing on steals and missed three-pointers by the Bears.

Dunwoody had 21 transition points on the night to Cambridge’s 12.

Cambridge found their stride in the second quarter, outscoring Dunwoody 13-6. The Bears’ shots started falling and their defense tightened up.

After the game, White praised this aspect of his team’s play.

“Being a leader on the team is very important to me to motivate my teammates to play hard on defense,” he said. “Defense creates offense, defense wins championships. I know we have a good chance of winning any game where we are motivated on the defensive end.

We’re a gritty team, compete together, play together, play hard.”

Cambridge head coach David Akin also had good things to say about the Bears’ defense.

“I’m very proud of our guys to pull out a win,” he said. “They have really

ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA

Cambridge seniors Declan Miller (No. 0) and Avery White (No. 3) contest Dunwoody senior Micah Foote’s shot attempt at Dunwoody High School Nov. 12. Cambridge came away with the win, 77-72, after two overtime periods.

bought into playing team defense, I’m ecstatic about how aggressive and excited they are to get after opponents defensively. This is a really tough place to play, Dunwoody always plays hard and is very well-coached.”

Akin commented on anticipating a physical game and the Bears’ gameplan to aggressively attack the basket, giving some background to Dunwoody’s 26 personal fouls compared to Cambridge’s 14.

The Bears kept rolling in the third quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 189. Cambridge was aggressive on the glass, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds to contribute 12 second-chance points, compared to Dunwoody’s eight offensive boards and seven second-chance points.

Dunwoody’s fourth quarter comeback was one for the books, scoring 20 points in the time it took Cambridge to tally 10 and tying the game at 53 with a minute remaining. Three-pointers from Merritt and Brendan Smith kept Dunwoody in the game during the fourth quarter and first overtime.

Frasier took over the second overtime, scoring the Bears’ first seven points of the period with a perimeter shot, tough turnaround jumper, then a midrange two-pointer. Senior Logan Harris then sealed the game for Cambridge with a long-range make, and the win was sweetened with free-throw makes by Frasier and senior Declan Miller.

Dunwoody Crier 11/21/24 Crossword

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PAST TENSE

OPINION

Doraville’s Carver Hills community weathered development When plans for a General Motors assembly plant were underway in the early 1940s, a community of Black families, their school and a church were displaced. Homeowners were bought out and offered land for new homes in a nearby Doraville location. General Motors VALERIE BIGGERSTAFF bought 150 acres for the new development. Each undeveloped lot Columnist cost $2,000.

The new neighborhood was called Carver Hills, named for George Washington Carver, famous Black scientist and inventor. It was located where Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and I-285 meet.

A Nov. 27, 1949, Atlanta Journal writeup describes a neighborhood of 50 homes. Water, lights, and paved streets were included, but property owners had to find their own builder. Both a Baptist and Methodist Church were part of the new neighborhood.

In the 1960s, the homeowners were encroached upon again, this time by the construction of I-285.

The highway divided the neighborhood into two sections.

In the mid-1980s a developer wanted to buy Carver Hills property to build a hotel. Homeowner Fannie Mae Jett fought the effort to build the 145room hotel, which would have blocked the view from the east side of the neighborhood.

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger rejected a developer’s claim that Carver Hills was a dying neighborhood and was best suited for commercial development. Fannie Mae Jett said of the ruling, “I don’t think anything in the world could thrill my heart like knowing that the old people will be able to live out their lives here.” (Atlanta Constitution, DeKalb Extra, Oct. 17, 1985, “Old Neighborhood in Doraville Refuses to Die”) Then, in 1987 a new I-285 entrance ramp cut off another section of the neighborhood. (Photographic Permanent Archival Record, Carver Hills Historic District, copy held by the DeKalb History Center) The Mt. Carmel African Methodist Episcopal Church still stands on Carver Drive where a few remaining Carver Hills homes still stand. First established in 1879, Mt. Carmel AME is the oldest African American congregation in Georgia.

New homes and townhomes have been built on the former Carver Hills location north of I-285.

In 2023, a historical marker was placed to recognize Carver Hills and the Mt. Carmel AME Church. The marker text begins, “Carver Hills, established in 1947. In the 1940s, when General Motors purchased land to build a new plant, it displaced a school, church and a number of homes belonging to members of Doraville’s African American community.”

Additional land purchased for Black families displaced by General Motors includes the Parsons Village Subdivision, platted in 1953, and the Happy Valley subdivision, platted in 1954. The name Parsons comes from the previous owners of the land.

Carver Hills was the only subdivision where only Black individuals could purchase land.

Former Carver Hills residents Patricia Jett Hood and Sarah Rainey Wallace were among the former and current residents who gathered for the

A 1940s photo of a new home in Carver Hills. Photo from "Images of America: Doraville"

DEKALB HISTORY CENTER ARCHIVES.

This historical marker honoring Carver Hills and the Mt. Carmel AME Church was dedicated in February of 2023.

2023 marker dedication to honor historic Carver Hills of Doraville. Hood attended Doraville School and L ynwood Park High School. Sarah Rainey Wallace attended L ynwood Park Elementary and High School. These were segregated DeKalb County schools for Black students. Schools in DeKalb

BOB KELLEY/PROVIDED

County were integrated in 1968. (DeKalb History Center Archives, oral history recordings of Patricia Jett Hood and Sarah Rainey Wallace) Sarah Rainey Wallace’s parents and grandparents talked about their move when the General Motors Plant was built. People in the community planned to work at the plant. Wallace recalled that the former location of Mt. Carmel AME Church was in the middle of the once large community. That location today would be in the middle of I-285.

In a 1999 oral history of Fannie Mae Jett, she recalled that her grandfather, Bartow Langford, owned property that later became part of General Motors. The Greater Mount Carmel Church was built on her ancestor George Washington Gholston’s property. (DeKalb History Center Archives, Fannie Mae Jett) The historical marker text continues with the history and a description of Carver Hills today, “…all that remains of the original Carver Hills neighborhood are 10 houses on Carver Drive along with Mt. Carmel AME Church and Zion Full Gospel Ministries. This plaque is a reminder of the strength and resilience of Doraville’s African American community in the face of multiple challenges over the decades. Presented by Doraville Celebration Committee 2022.”

Award-winning author Valerie Biggerstaff is a longtime columnist for Appen Media and the Dunwoody Crier. She lives in Atlanta. You can email Valerie at pasttensega@gmail.com or visit her website at pasttensega.com.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 21, 2024 | 7

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SCHOOLS

PHOTOS BY: THE DAVIS ACADEMY/PROVIDED

Students at The Davis Academy cast votes in a mock election on Nov. 5 at the school. Kids learned about voting and democracy during a day of activities.

AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody | Dunwoody Crier | November 21, 2024 | 9

A student at The Davis Academy interacts with an exhibit on Election Day, which was dedicated to learning about civic engagement.

Jewish school students engage in Election Day SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Students at The Davis Academy learned firsthand about democracy, civic responsibility and patriotic pride on Election Day. The Jewish school, which serves kids from age 4 to grade eight, held activities to educate and empower students, according to the school. The Davis Academy, 8105 Roberts Drive, describes itself as the largest Reform Jewish Day School in the country. The school serves students in the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs areas.

Students were inspired by the Jewish value “Al tifros min hatzibur,” which translates to “do not separate oneself from the community, as they participated in the events.

On Election Day, the entire school participated in a Red, White and Blue Spirit Day. An interactive exhibit dubbed “The Road to the White House” inspired kids to think about how they can make a

difference. The lesson taught them about civic duties and presidential history.

At both of the school’s campuses, students took part in mock voting on fun school-wide topics, such as choosing a special dessert and a cause for Spirit Week’s Penny Wars. Students voted in secure polling locations for an authentic voting experience.

Middle school students who studied the Electoral College watched real-time updates in a dedicated space to enhance their understanding of civic engagement.

“It is an exciting day down Roberts Drive, and we are marking it with hands-on activities celebrating civic responsibility, choice and patriotism, creating a memorable experience for our students and faculty,” said Cristy Milrud, director of marketing and communications.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘American Pickers’ program seeks local hidden treasures ATLANTA — The History Channel’s “American Pickers” television series is asking North Metro Atlanta residents to reach out with their hidden treasures.

The show is asking to connect with residents with unique items, stories, according to Cineflix.

The show does not “pick” stores, flea markets, auction businesses, museums or anything open to the public.

Anyone interested may send your name, phone number, location and a description of the collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix. com, call 646-493-2184 or message on Facebook to @GotAPick.

“American Pickers” is a documentary series that explores the world of antique “picking.” The show follows skilled pickers in the business as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques.

They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable characters and their collections.

The pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics.

Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before.

They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.

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THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TIP YOUR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY PERSON Your local community newspaper lands in your driveway every week—rain or shine—bringing you the stories, events, and updates that matter most. But did you know that the person delivering it is often a dedicated individual who goes the extra mile (literally) to ensure you stay connected?

Why Tip? • Show Appreciation: Your delivery person is out there early in the morning or late at night, navigating all kinds of weather, so you can enjoy the news with your morning coffee.

• Support Local Efforts: While the paper might be free, the effort behind it isn’t. Tipping helps reward those who keep this vital community service running smoothly.

• Brighten Their Day: A small tip can make a big difference in someone’s day, showing gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

If you enjoy receiving your free community newspaper, consider giving a small token of appreciation to the person who brings it to your driveway. A little kindness can go a long way!

Thank you for supporting your local delivery heroes!

How to give your delivery person a tip:

1 Give via the online portal at appenmedia.com/deliverytip or scan this QR Code 2 If you prefer, you can also mail a check made out to Appen Media Group and mail it to Newspaper Delivery Tip C/O Appen Media Group, 319 North Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

100% of every dollar you contribute will be spread out evenly between the 24 newspaper delivery people that Appen Media employs. Whether you give $5 or $50, they will greatly appreciate it.

12 | November 21, 2024 | Dunwoody Crier | AppenMedia.com/Dunwoody

Charter: Continued from Page 1 several local governments as a sports manager.

The language of the agenda memo did not disclose specific motivations for the charter change, which would be the first in the city’s 15-year history.

City Attorney Ken Bernard said elected officials, including the mayor, are not considered employees of the city. The state regulates gifts to elected officials.

Bernard said the change would remove the automatic “no” for donations to city employees, but city staff will have to work out specific policies.

Mayor Lynn Deutsch said nobody foresaw a police foundation during the creation of the city charter. She wants the Dunwoody Police Foundation to be able to support any officer and their families who are in need.

A scenario, such as a bribe, where an individual or group provides a gift or donation to a city department head in exchange for a favor is prohibited in the charter.

The charter already requires the disclosure of private financial interests and prohibits any engagements that are incompatible with or impair the duties of an elected official or employee.

Because the city’s agenda items for the two charter amendments left out full background relating to their purpose, Hirsch was unaware of prohibitions on donations to city employees, like police officers injured on duty.

James Glass, treasurer of the

NEWS

Dunwoody Police Foundation, spoke after Hirsch.

Like other qualified law enforcement foundations in Metro Atlanta, donors receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for contributions.

LINTON “We provide financial assistance to officers who have been injured in the line of duty, of which we have one at this point,” Glass said. “The way the charter is written, we are unable to help that officer with their bills and a reduction in their pay.”

Without the charter change, the Dunwoody Police Foundation cannot fulfill its mission, he said.

While Glass seemingly quelled Hirsch’s most serious concerns, questions remain about how the city is pursuing its charter changes through home rule.

The Georgia Municipal Association says the state’s 1965 Home Rule Act allows counties and cities to act without authorization from the state Legislature.

Specifically, it permits amendment of a city’s charter through an ordinance process, which Dunwoody is following.

If the City Council approves the charter changes, they are not effective until filed with the DeKalb County Superior Court and Secretary of State’s Office.

In a blog post last month, City Councilman John Heneghan raised concerns about the specific charter changes, and he cited a different reason than Hirsch.

“The final two discussion items are both mundane and extremely important because on the surface, tweaking our City Charter on minor items does make sense to me, but it also sets a precedent for future HENEGHAN changes that may not have been intended 15 years ago when the citizens voted to allow incorporation under a limited governmental authority,” Heneghan wrote.

“Council may have received legal opinions that we can raise funds (taxes) based on ‘Home Rule’ and ‘Special Taxation Districts.’”

Heneghan said he supports the charter changes, which would allow the Dunwoody Police Foundation to support injured officers and council members to work for a government outside the county. He does not support skirting Dunwoody voters and removing the city’s property tax cap without a referendum.

Other Metro Atlanta cities, like Milton and Sandy Springs in Fulton County, also have a capped property tax rate.

Both share a capped rate of 4.731. Milton is operating just below its cap, while Sandy Springs is at the maximum.

Both city websites say changing the millage rate cap requires a citizen vote.

The Georgia Municipal Association says cities cannot enact charter amendments that “adopt a form of taxation beyond that authorized by the state constitution and laws.”

It’s not clear whether the city will pursue an ordinance removing its

millage cap or raising taxes through a special district, although that route was proposed during a Charter Commission meeting in 2013 to fund a special tax assessment to establish local fire service.

The city’s recuring expenses are outpacing revenues, and significant federal money has been used to shore up some operations. That money, awarded for pandemic relief, will all but dry up by the time the 2026 budget process begins late next year.

Heneghan concluded his Oct. 11 blog post saying, “hard conversations regarding taxation and service levels are coming soon to this community.”

City Manager Eric Linton responded to questions Oct. 30 about possible funding sources in the future, conversations with residents about raising the property tax rate and funds paid to City Attorney Ken Bernard “regarding the millage cap.”

Linton said the city will continue looking at all funding opportunities, and public input will be a key part of any City Council decisions.

“We do see revenue growth ahead, but we expect it to be slow, so we’ll prepare for that,” he said. “City staff continues to examine all options available concerning the millage rate … this includes consultation with the city attorney.”

Mayor Lynn Deutsch said robust and transparent discussions about city revenues will continue next year and beyond.

“We require maintaining a four-month reserve fund [and] currently have close to 10 months in reserve,” Deutsch said.

“These excess funds should be used to fund city operations.”

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100 most influential people People and things that have impacted our world, #21-30 No. 21. CRISPR. In 2020, Jenifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their work on CRISPR technology — essentially technology RAY APPEN that facilitates gene editing Publisher Emeritus ray@appenmedia.com — something with countless applications in science, medicine, and agriculture, to name just a few. Examples include the creation of disease-resistant and droughtresistant grains; correcting mutations at the DNA level for people with genetic disorders that cause diseases like sickle cell anemia; and potentially the eradication of diseases such as malaria by modifying the genes of malaria-causing mosquitos to make them sterile. Of note, use of CRISPR significantly contributed to the development of the successful vaccines for COVID-1.

No. 22. Moore’s Law (1965-?). In 1965 Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel and Fairchild Semiconductor, observed/predicted that the number of transistors that can fit on a computer chip will double roughly every two years, with a minimal increase in cost. That is, computers will get smaller and process faster without costing significantly more. The smallest transistors currently being manufactured (by IBM) for commercial use are 2 nanometers, about the width of several atoms, a size that facilitates placement of roughly 50 billion transistors on a chip the size of a fingernail. The iPhone you own has more computing power and more storage capacity than main frame computers of the past. Technology drives so much of every aspect of our lives today, and Moore’s Law is why.

No. 23. Archie Bunker.

Archie and “All in the Family” creator Norman Lear could make this Top 100 list for multiple reasons. Lear was responsible for wildly popular TV shows that introduced political and social themes to millions. His shows also included “The Jeffersons,” “Maude,” “Sanford and Son,” “One Day at a Time,” Mary

No. 24. Peter, Paul and Mary. “Where have all the Flowers Gone?” Peter, Paul and Mary, right?

Nope. Try Pete Seeger; he wrote it. But they first made it a huge hit. Nope, try Marlene Dietrich — in German — in 1962. OK, PP&M did cover the song.

Joan Baez, too. Geez. I had no idea. The song was an anti-Viet Nam war protest song of the ’60s, a song about lost innocence, soldiers dying, flowers on graves. It wasn’t the only one. So, Seeger wrote it in 1962, and we’ve been at war ever since. The same thing keeps happening; that’s why PP&M are on the list — to remind us about that. How many young people today have a clue?

No. 25. Dr. Seuss. Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904-1991) was a beloved author of children’s books, an illustrator, and (surprise) an advertising professional (prior to his Dr. Seuss career). He is on the list because he represents a time, an attitude, and a sense of possibility that was “ours” before cynicism, snark and animosity took over. His bestselling book: “Green Eggs and Ham.” Total sales of Dr. Seuss: over 600 million worldwide (in more than 50 languages). He taught us much about ourselves: “Today you are you! That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.” Amen.

No. 26. Time’s Person of the Year. This list, which began in 1927 with Charles Lindberg on

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the cover, surely is a good list for any Top 100 most important people and events. That being said, here are some fun facts about Time’s list: Person of the Century: Albert Einstein. The only person to be named three times: FDR. Individuals named twice: Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, Dwight Eisenhower, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill. Number of times a woman has been named: 9 (out of 97). Last two women named: Greta Thunberg (2019), Taylor Swift (2023).

No. 27. Charles Schulz. Wrote “Peanuts” from 1950 to 2000 and is generally seen as the most influential cartoonist in history.

Total “Peanuts” strips published: 17,897.

Who didn’t hold their breath when Lucy would convince Charlie Brown into trying to kick the football one more time? Who didn’t hope, for once, that she wouldn’t pull it away at the last second?

We all did.

No. 28. Conspiracy theories. I hate to add this one to my list because their impact on society is worse than cancer; worse than pandemics; brings out the worst in humanity.

Yes, vaccines do work. No, he didn’t win the 2020 election. Yes, there is global warming that is destroying our ecosystem. No, the hurricanes this year were not generated or controlled by the government. Ad nauseum.

No. 29. “The Sound of Music”. I added this to the list because I wanted to end this segment on a positive note. This movie and the soundtrack is generally universally loved and presents to us something that is uniquely “us” — something precious, pure and redeeming.

No. 30. Mary Poppins.

See No. 29.

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Hartman, Mary Hartman” and “Good Times.” Many themes of the shows have morphed into political footballs in today’s world, sharp-edged political weapons used by politicians to attack, divide and disrupt. Lear made fun of today’s weapons. He served them out to everyone. He made us laugh without getting angry or vindictive. He tried to show us that we could be different and still be civil. How far away that seems now. How short our memories seem to be.

APPE

Here’s my continuing list of people and things that have impacted our world.

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